Question about removing crystal retaining ring on Clean GMT Master II V3

[JTB16635]

I've read both the thread on fixing the bezel and the thread about replacing the crystal on the sub. I have all the parts off and cleaned and adjusted the click spring. I kind of feel like an idiot asking this, but where do start separating the retaining ring? Is the part with the scallops for the indexing part of the case or retaining ring? My instinct is that it is part of the case otherwise indexing it on reinstall would be impossible unless there is a hole and pin under there.
So does it separate at A or B? thanks!

 

[KJ2020]

I've read both the thread on fixing the bezel and the thread about replacing the crystal on the sub. I have all the parts off and cleaned and adjusted the click spring. I kind of feel like an idiot asking this, but where do start separating the retaining ring? Is the part with the scallops for the indexing part of the case or retaining ring? My instinct is that it is part of the case otherwise indexing it on reinstall would be impossible unless there is a hole and pin under there.
So does it separate at A or B? thanks!

Start at point B in your pic bro. The scallops and teeth are part of the retaining ring on a modern GMT. You are right to note that unless it is reinstalled in the same rotational orientation, the insert triangle will not be in the same relationship with the 60 minute tic mark. What you can do if you don't want to remove and realign the insert is make about 3 Sharpie outline curves on the case inside 3 scallops around the circle. Then reinstall the ring like it was. You can wipe the marks with alcohol or just leave them.

Lots of pics in the link below

Rolex Rare preowned watch part spare Retaining Sapphire Glass Bezel Ceramic GMT MASTER 116710 ref B319-2009-J1

Rolex Rare preowned watch part spare Retaining Sapphire Glass Bezel Ceramic GMT MASTER 116710 ref B319-2009-J1

www.chrono-shop.net

 

[KJ2020]

BTW point A in your pic is the retaining ring lip, under which the bezel gasket (hytrel ring) sits. This is what keeps the bezel attached to the case. That groove between the lip and the scallops is where the hytrel ring resides, loosely enough to permit rotation.

 

[JTB16635]

Start at point B in your pic bro. The scallops and teeth are part of the retaining ring on a modern GMT. You are right to note that unless it is reinstalled in the same rotational orientation, the insert triangle will not be in the same relationship with the 60 minute tic mark. What you can do if you don't want to remove and realign the insert is make about 3 Sharpie outline curves on the case inside 3 scallops around the circle. Then reinstall the ring like it was. You can wipe the marks with alcohol or just leave them.

Lots of pics in the link below

Rolex Rare preowned watch part spare Retaining Sapphire Glass Bezel Ceramic GMT MASTER 116710 ref B319-2009-J1

Rolex Rare preowned watch part spare Retaining Sapphire Glass Bezel Ceramic GMT MASTER 116710 ref B319-2009-J1

www.chrono-shop.net

thanks! got it off!! woop woop

 

[MajorJackpot]

You might as well do the lip mod while you are at it - this requires you to remove the insert - much easier to align the insert when it;'s off and the bezel is already locked in.

 

[JTB16635]

You might as well do the lip mod while you are at it - this requires you to remove the insert - much easier to align the insert when it;'s off and the bezel is already locked in.

lip mod? The lip of the bezel?

 

[MajorJackpot]

lip mod? The lip of the bezel?

Yes. It's a worthy mod - https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/cf-pepsi-bezel-lip-mod.10076178/

 

[JTB16635]

Yes. It's a worthy mod - https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/cf-pepsi-bezel-lip-mod.10076178/

cool. Thanks. I have a mini lathe I can mount the bezel in, so that will be pretty easy.

 

[JTB16635]

Anyone trying this, if you don't have an Explorer ring to press the retaining ring down with, you can make one from 1/4" Lexan, or another hard plastic. The hole needs to be 1.263 inches diameter. You could also use a large washer and file/sand the hole to spec.

 

[2841]

Well I used the cap from a vitamin glass Had the exact size

 

[2841]

I would also press the retainer ring on, with the movement in place, or it will be pretty hard to line up the magnification window

 

[JTB16635]

haha, yeah I have straight wall dies but none that were the perfect size and I couldn't find anything around here. Didn't think to look for a vitamin container. It pressed in and didn't move. I put the movement back in after and double and triple checked. (This was the main reason I am doing this, the cyclopes was way off from factory). Someone needs to make and sell a 3D printed fixture to hold the case and align the cyclopes for pressing. I just pulled all the gaskets and lubricated them and have it pressurizing to test water resistance now. I'll take it up to 300m in increments. After inspecting the bezel and insert relationship I'm going to leave it. The insert is dead flush with the outer edge of the bezel. I am going to take a 600 grit stick and kiss the corners on the case horns though. They are way sharper than on any of my Gen Rolexes. This Clark crystal looks way better than the factory one and the cyclopes is the correct shape. I got a few different gaskets from him. I ended up using the 2.85 gasket and just took a touch off the thickness. Any more and the seconds hand wouldn't work and I;m not shaving the pinion.

 

[MajorJackpot]

I use an old DJ bezel from a 41mm - works perfect every time.

 

[JTB16635]

Looks like I need to go to Walmart for some fishing line. It appears the hydra is keeping the bezel from rotating. grrrr

 

[MajorJackpot]

Make sure you put the click spring first before you seat the bezel. Don’t do the bezel and click together when you press it down.

 

[KJ2020]

Looks like I need to go to Walmart for some fishing line. It appears the hytrel is keeping the bezel from rotating. grrrr

Before trying any alternate bezel gaskets (including fishline), first remove the hytrel from the bezel groove and assess the bezel fit and operation with an empty bezel groove. If the bezel will not rotate even with an empty groove, the issue is the crystal gasket is too thick (wide). That needs to be corrected before finding an optimal hytrel replacement.

Using fishline as a hytrel ring

 

[MajorJackpot]

Before trying any alternate bezel gaskets (including fishline), first remove the hytrel from the bezel groove and assess the bezel fit and operation with an empty bezel groove. If the bezel will not rotate even with an empty groove, the issue is the crystal gasket is too thick (wide). That needs to be corrected before finding an optimal hytrel replacement.

Using fishline as a hytrel ring

KJ - is 2.85 the lowest gasket that can be used on the CF Pepsi? That still seems awfully tall and would keep the date mag still too big.

 

[2841]

KJ - is 2.85 the lowest gasket that can be used on the CF Pepsi? That still seems awfully tall and would keep the date mag still too big.

It depends, I’ve had about 6-7 In hand, and there are slight variations.

The correct gasket if you want gen height and magnification is 2.5 (on the Clean case) but 80% surely you will hit the second hand. With a 2.7 gasket you should be good, without hitting the second hand, but the it will be slightly over magnified.

We just did 3 builds with gen crystals and 2.5 gaskets. Either you need gen hands or shave the second hand

 

[KJ2020]

KJ - is 2.85 the lowest gasket that can be used on the CF Pepsi? That still seems awfully tall and would keep the date mag still too big.

There are several ways to lower the gasket height. I place proper date mag as the top priority when fitting a gasket, then secondarily I try to achieve a proper (gen-like) crystal sitting height.

If you shave a 2.7mm to 2.6mm it will usually clear the second hand. Also sometimes you can carefully press the second hand down a little from where the factory placed it and use a 2.5mm.

Check out these threads for more info

Which crystal gasket should I use?

Crystal gasket shave - DIY

Crystal gasket shave Quick and dirty

CLEAN GMT crystal gasket rework

Second hand catching on crystal

 

[JTB16635]

Before trying any alternate bezel gaskets (including fishline), first remove the hytrel from the bezel groove and assess the bezel fit and operation with an empty bezel groove. If the bezel will not rotate even with an empty groove, the issue is the crystal gasket is too thick (wide). That needs to be corrected before finding an optimal hytrel replacement.

Using fishline as a hytrel ring

Yes, I checked it right away when I popped it off after it would not move. Kind of weird since the hydra didn't look damaged. Maybe it got turned up slightly.